After all that happened today, there is still a game tonight.
Shane Bieber gets the start, since he’s still there. Cristian Javier starts for Houston.
Daulton Varsho hits cleanup tonight for the Astros. That will be weird. He had a rather emotional press conference before the game. It does have to be hard on guys to leave their friends.
I’d still be ok with it if the Jays went on a bit of a roll. I’m not betting on it, but I’d be ok with it.
Go Jays Go.
St. Louis Cardinals trade SP Dustin May and LHRP JoJo Romero for (#11) OF Alexander Frias and (#13) OF Josiah Ragsdale
Grade: A
It took a while for Chaim Bloom to get their first deal across the finish line, but boy was it worth the wait.
OF Alexander Frias is a name Cardinals fans are going to know for a long time. At 18 years old, he’s posted a max EV of 117 this season, leading evaluators to believe he has plus-plus raw power, and if the Cardinals can help him make a tiny adjustment to add more loft into his swing, he could be a perennial 30 HR bat. Frias is considered a below-average runner but has exceptional arm strength, making him an ideal RF long-term. MLB Pipeline lists Frias as the Brewers’ number 11 prospect in the system, and Fangraphs had him as number 43 overall in all of baseball in their latest top 100 update. He demolished the FCL this year to the tune of a 1.196 OPS and has a modest .746 OPS against Low-A competition that is advanced for his age. Again, an 18-year-old who would be a High School Senior posting an above .700 OPS at the equivalent of Palm Beach is very impressive.
OF Josiah Ragsdale has made big strides this season from an offensive standpoint. The Brewers’ 7th-round pick in 2025, Ragsdale has posted a 1.127 OPS in his first month of Double-A and has 12 HR at that level ALREADY. A player who was considered a potential big-league 4th outfielder type has flashed offensive upside; 3rd-party evaluators didn’t think Ragsdale was capable of coming into the year has shifted his upside forward in a meaningful way. Ragsdale is considered a 70-grade runner and should be capable of sticking in CF long term.
The Cardinals sent mercenary Dustin May and rental LHRP JoJo Romero to a Milwaukee team that is the class of the division and is looking to fill out its roster fully as it prepares itself for a potentially inevitable clash with the evil empirical villain of MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dustin May slots in as a potential 3-4 starter in a top-heavy Brewers rotation, and JoJo Romero will be a 3rd lefty in their bullpen behind DL Hall and Aaron Ashby. Just as I’ve been saying for months now. JoJo is considered a high-leverage lefty in St. Louis, but he’s not particularly viewed that way across the league; he IS a valuable reliever nonetheless.
Overall, a deal for two rental pitchers in exchange for two outfielders who both have everyday potential (or more with Frias). It’s hard to give this deal anything other than an A, especially considering the path this organization has chosen going forward.
St. Louis Cardinals trade OF Lars Nootbaar to the Arizona Diamondbacks for (#5) RHP Daniel Eagan and (#26) Sandro Santana and a PTBNL
Grade: B- tentatively depending on the PTBNL
If Lars were healthy in the offseason, he likely would have been traded then. After only 8 weeks of health, the Arizona Diamondbacks are satisfied with the results, having parted with two of their top 30 arms to acquire him.
RHP Daniel Eagan was a 3rd-round pick in 2024 and fits the mold of the Cardinals player development group, getting a guy with a tall, projectable frame: 6’4 205 lbs, and his delivery features induced vertical break of up to 20 inches. Eagan’s primary offering is a plus curveball that sits in the low 80s and a mid 80’s Gyro slider that flashes above average. Eagan also throws a Splitter that has a chance to be MLB average as an offspeed offering. Eagan has posted a 4.95 ERA this season for Double-A Amarillo, but their park is also known to be a bit of a launching pad, and he has been posting a 4.43 ERA on the road as opposed to a 5.44 ERA at home. Overall, Eagan projects as a number 4 starter in the big leagues when all is said and done.
LHP Sandro Santana is a left-handed relief pitching prospect who has the potential to make his MLB debut as early as next season. Sitting mid 90’s with his fastball, it’s more about deception, arm slot, and placement on the rubber than it is about movement that allows the pitch to get swings and misses. Santana’s true calling card is a 70-grade slider/sweeper that he can work against either-handed hitters to both sides of the plate. He is also developing a changeup as a 3rd viable option. When you watch video of his delivery, it’s hard not to get JoJo Romero vibes.
It has been a rollercoaster experience with Lars Nootbaar, with the injuries he’s dealt with but also the moments of joy and excitement he’s brought over the years and his infectious personality and constant energy. Lars Nootbaar will leave a lasting legacy in Cardinals fans’ eyes of “what if” during an era in which most Cardinals fans will likely be eager to forget years down the road.
The ability to get two near big-league-ready arms within the next 2 seasons that fit the team’s current timeline, and being able to get a reasonable deal done after only 8 healthy weeks of Lars Nootbaar in 2026 when some were uncertain about his big-league career overall is a win. Nothing at present suggests the Cardinals received anything of wow in return for this deal, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a solid return. Thus the deal receives a B- grade with the chance to improve further based on who the PTBNL is.
St. Louis Cardinals acquire LHRP Caleb Ferguson from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for 250,000 dollars in International Bonus Pool money.
Grade: B
After JoJo Romero went down with appendicitis and had been out since the All-Star Break, the Cardinals had a clear and existing need for another left-handed option out of the bullpen. They tried to get by with George Soriano, Luis Gastelum, and Justin Bruihl as their counters to lefties, but it has not been a fruitful venture since the break. This acquisition allows the Cardinals an immediate boost to their bullpen that had allowed them to piece together games early in the season. The fact that the Cardinals didn’t have to give up a prospect to fulfill an immediate need down the stretch is a bonus.
Ferguson is primarily a Sinker/Slurve lefty that also throws a 4Seam FB and Cutter. Posting a 4.01 ERA but a 3.48 xERA lends to the theory that Ferguson could be marginally better for St. Louis with the high-level defense behind him. 11 Walks to 22 strikeouts in 24.2 IP this year; if the Cardinals can get him more in the zone, you can see an easier pathway to Ferguson becoming a more effective reliever almost immediately. Just a quick side note on Ferguson’s slurve. He generates over 3,000 RPM’s of spin on the pitch (elite) but only throws it 15% of the time. That seems like a pitch he should throw more often. Just my two cents!
If you’re someone who likes to put down a little extra spending money on your sports consumption, you can head over to FanDuel. Maybe you think the Cardinals can go on a little run now that the pressure of the deadline is over, and you think the Cardinals can snag that last wild card spot! Only being 4 games out of the final spot, the Cardinals are currently +1200 to make the playoffs! That would be a good value play if you believe in the first half of the team as compared to what they’ve been out of the break.
Brought to you by FanDuel Sportsbook, the official sportsbook partner of SB Nation.
The superteam Dodgers continue to draw ire for their largesse, including adding Tarik Skubal to their already deep rotation. But perhaps as an olive branch, they sometimes show their frailty as well. Dalton Rushing’s arm irritation that got him scratched from Sunday’s start is now right elbow inflammation that landed the catcher on the injured list.
Emmet Sheehan was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City after allowing three home runs and five runs in his 2 2/3 innings in Sunday’s loss to the Boston Red Sox. Sheehan on the season in his 20 starts has a 5.29 ERA, which ranks 96th among the 105 major league pitchers with at least 90 innings, despite a 3.96 xERA that ranks 45th.
“Everyone knows what we think of him. I mean, the talent is there, the care, the preparedness, all that stuff is there,” manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday’s loss. “But it’s just, when you’re pitching in the big leagues, you’ve got to get guys out.”
With Sheehan optioned, that means Eric Lauer remains in the rotation for now after originally appearing headed for relief work or even a possible trade. Lauer will start Wednesday in Chicago, Roberts told reporters at Wrigley Field on Monday, per Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic.
The Dodgers earlier Monday acquired old friend Ben Rortvedt to help with their catching depth, then alsotraded for another old friend in Hunter Feduccia from the Rays. But with Rushing out they also needed another active catcher today, which is why Chuckie Robinson is back, selected to the roster ahead of the team’s series opener at Wrigley Field.
Eliezer Alfonso starts at catcher on Monday against the Cubs, as he did on Sunday against the Red Sox.
Also back is Jonathan Hernández, who had 12 mostly low-leverage appearances for the Dodgers earlier this season. He posted an 8.15 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 12 walks in 17 2/3 innings before getting designated for assignment on June 30, and was sent outright to Triple-A on July 2.
In seven games with Oklahoma City the 29-year-old Hernández had a 6.14 ERA with nine walks and six strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.
The Dodgers already had an open spot on the roster after Cole Irvin was designated for assignment on Saturday. They opened another spot by acquiring Kris Bubic — who is on the 60-day injured list — from the Kansas City Royals for Carlos Durán earlier Monday. Feduccia took up one of those 40-man roster spots when his trade was finalized.
To add both Robinson and Hernández, the Dodgers had to clear one more 40-man spot, and Wyatt Mills was designated for assignment after throwing 53 pitches in his two innings on Sunday night. Mills appeared in six games for the Dodgers this season, and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits, nine walks, and two hit batters, with five strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
Tarik Skubal, who will start on Tuesday, was added to the active roster, taking Mills’ spot there.
There’s nothing like waiting until the last minute, and that’s exactly what happened on an action-packed day across the MLB as the trade deadline came and went at 4 p.m. MDT on Monday.
The Rockies waded into the chaos, making three of their four trades in the final hours on Monday, but didn’t end up dealing Hunter Goodman, who weighed heavily in the trade rumor mill. Colorado started the day by dealing center fielder Brenton Doyle to the Chicago White Sox, then sent former starter and current RHP reliever Antonio Senzatela to the Milwaukee Brewers and finished off by shipping right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik to the Miami Marlins. Earlier in July, the Rockies traded RHP reliever Seth Halvorsen to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
To fill two of the roster holes, the Rockies called up outfielder Jordan Beck and RHP Nick Frasso from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Now, it’s time to get back to baseball. That is, if the weather will allow it.
After notching triple digits again on Monday, a storm appears to be rolling in.
Stay tuned to Purple Row for any weather updates.
Starting tonight, the Rockies will finish a six-game homestand with a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (65-46). Colorado (45-67) is coming off a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals when they happened to first match and then surpass their 43-win total from 2025.
RHP Michael Lorenzen (3-9, 6.54) will be on the mound for the Rockies. Lorenzen is coming off back-to-back short starts. Most recently, he gave up three runs on eight hits with one walk and two strikeouts in four innings of work in an 8-7 loss in San Diego on July 28. On July 21, the Nationals beat him up, shelling him for six runs 0n seven hits, including two homers, with one walk and five strikeouts in an 8-7 loss at Coors Field.
LHP Ian Seymour (7-3, 4.37) will get the start for the AL East-leading Rays. A second-round pick from 2020 who made his MLB debut in 2025, Seymour, 27, has made 36 appearances for Tampa Day this season, but only seven have been starts. He’s 2-2 as a starter with a 5.34 ERA, and he’s made it at least five innings in five of those starts. Today will mark Seymour’s first appearance at Coors Field.
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM KOA Rockies Radio Network; KNRV 1150 AM (Spanish)
Rays SB Nation Site:DRaysBay
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CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are poised to acquire pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the New York Mets for touted infield prospect Jefferson Rojas.
It’s the latest effort by the busy Cubs to replenish an injury-depleted pitching staff as they attempt to chase down first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central and hang onto the National League’s top wild-card spot.
Earlier in the day, Chicago obtained reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels for two minor leaguers: catcher Moisés Ballesteros and right-hander Mason McGwire — son of retired slugger Mark McGwire. The team also added left-hander Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins for a pair of minor leaguers: infielder Jonathon Long and right-hander Jace Beck.
Garrett was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Those deals came one day after the Cubs augmented their rotation by acquiring veteran starter Kevin Gausman in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Holmes appears just about ready to return from a broken right leg that has sidelined him since mid-May. He was 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA in nine starts before getting hurt.
The late actor and director Rob Reiner was a devoted Dodgers fan.
Sunday would have meant a lot to him.
Jake and Romy Reiner threw out the ceremonial first pitches at Dodger Stadium before the team’s game against the Boston Red Sox, more than seven months after their parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, were found dead at their Brentwood home.
Jake Reiner, a 35-year-old actor and reporter, threw his pitch straight down the middle to Dodgers outfielder Alex Call behind the plate. Romy Reiner, a 28-year-old actor and writer, sent her pitch a little high and outside, but her catcher, Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, had no trouble handling it.
Read more:Rob Reiner receives posthumous Emmy nomination for 'The Bear'
Afterward, the siblings shared a heartfelt hug next to the mound.
Jake Reiner, who co-hosts the Dodgers-based podcast “The Incline,” wrote about his and his father’s connection through the Boys in Blue in a Substack column posted in April.
“We loved the Dodgers more than anything,” Jake wrote. “We went to so many damn games. I’ll never go to Dodger Stadium again without feeling my dad’s presence and hearing his voice tell me why Shohei Ohtani should never bat in the leadoff spot.”
When Rob Reiner threw out a ceremonial first pitch before a Dodgers-Braves game in 2010, Jake was photographed helping him warm up.
Rob Reiner told People in 2023 that he became a die-hard fan through his own father, Carl Reiner, and that he made it a point to pass the same love for the sport on to Jake. The family has had Dodgers season tickets for about 60 years, with Reiner telling People that he and Jake “would go to at least 25 or 40 games a year.”
Read more:Commentary: As news of Rob Reiner's killing worsens, let's remember his legacy rooted in empathy
“Every time we come to the ballpark, even today when we walked in, I said to Jake, ‘There’s nothing like being at the ballpark,’” Rob Reiner said. “I love coming here. We look out at the grass. The green, it’s so beautiful.”
Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele, 70, were found by Romy Reiner when she went to their home the afternoon of Dec. 14. Their other son, Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested on suspicion of murdering his parents by stabbing in December. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder.
Nick Reiner has struggled with addiction for years and had been living in a guesthouse on his parents’ property, according to a family friend. His mother was said to have become increasingly concerned about his mental health in the weeks leading up to her death.
“The Dodgers express our deep sorrow and share our condolences over the passing of longtime fan Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele,” the team posted Dec. 15 on X.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Better positioned to attack the market than any other club, the Dodgers were aggressive at this year’s deadline. Contextualizing for the position they were in, what they set out to accomplish, and what it took to get there, it’s inevitable to conclude it was a successful deadline for the reigning back-to-back champs, worthy of an A grade.
No matter what were to happen, the Dodgers would still come out of the deadline as the favorites to win the World Series. That being said, the addition of Tarik Skubal combined with more underwhelming moves from their top rivals justifies their current odds as +160 to complete the threepeat. Even though all three division leaders in the National League possess similar records, the Dodgers are still heavy favorites to secure the NL’s number one seed, currently at -370.
As evident now as ever, one of the keys to the Dodgers’ success is the ability to make measured decisions with both the short-term and long-term future in mind—a team unafraid to fully explore their vast resources without being inconsequential in their approach. Skubal’s acquisition fulfilled plenty of expectations, but no one can accuse the Dodgers of being held hostage by the Tigers.
Even with the departure of Zyhir Hope as the headliner, the Dodgers retain a loaded pool of outfield prospects from which they can benefit for years to come. When it comes to River Ryan, his development needed a breakthrough only a guaranteed big league spot with no leash could provide, and that was more than the Dodgers could afford to give him right now.
It was the perfect storm not only for the Dodgers to acquire Skubal but also to do so with a reasonable package, if there is such a thing. For most teams competing at an absolute high level, the reward of two months-plus of Skubal wasn’t worth the loss of such highly prized assets as the ones the Dodgers gave up.
Depth is also what allows the Dodgers to go on the trading market for not one but two currently sidelined pitchers, whose potential contributions in 2026 are major question marks. Kris Bubic represents a shot in the dark, which was reflected in the return sent to the Royals—the lefty is still roughly a month away from returning to a big league mound and is a free agent at the end of the year. Now, Seth Halvorsen is a far more intriguing addition, possessing the raw ability to be molded into a weapon out of the bullpen capable of reaching triple digits, and also controllable through the end of the 2030 campaign. Halvorsen is currently in the minors completing a rehab assignment, still with 3 MiLB options.
Going back to familiar names, the Dodgers added catching depth by acquiring both Ben Rortvedt and Hunter Feduccia from the Mets and Rays, respectively. The Dodgers will be able to freely select who stays on next to Rushing in the big league roster since Feduccia still has one option and Rortvedt is not currently on the 40-man roster. Alongside Feduccia, the Dodgers also added minor leaguer Jacob Kmatz, a 23-year-old pitcher currently with a sub-1.00 WHIP in Double-A.
Between Landyn Vidourek and Nick Frasso going to the Rockies, Carlos Duran to the Royals, Chayce McDermott to the Mets, and Jack Suwinski to the Rays, the hit that the organizational depth of the Dodgers takes to complete these moves is minimal.
If we want to get extremely nitpicky, assessing the price for a few of the veteran relievers who were moved, such as Luke Weaver and A.J. Minter, the Dodgers could’ve pulled the trigger on adding a more experienced option. And that may be the only thing keeping us from an A+.
The MLB trade deadline is behind us, and numerous All-Stars have been shipped elsewhere to play out the remainder of the 2026 season. With the departure of those superstars comes an influx of minor league talent, players that may not be household names just yet, but they may very well be in a few years.
That said, there may not be such a massive shift in these rankings. Prior to the start of the trade frenzy, USA TODAY Sports rated the Los Angeles Dodgers as boasting the best farm system in Major League Baseball. Despite trading for the crown jewel of the deadline in two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, the Dodgers didn't have to give up very much at all, only giving up one of their top-five prospects in the deal.
So, do the Dodgers retain their top spot? Who's the biggest riser? And who gave up the most of their future? We're looking beyond the 2026 trade deadline at which teams boast the best pool of prospects in their minor league systems.
NOTE: Top prospects listed per mlb.com
Top 5 prospects:
A team everyone thought would sell wound up buying at the deadline, acquiring LHP Robbie Ray from divisional rival San Francisco. In doing so, they did need to give away a top-five prospect in Miguel Mendez, though. They also needed to send another borderline top-10 prospect as well.
They couldn't stop there though. The Padres also acquired Casey Mize and Gage Workman from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for their No. 2 prospect Kash Mayfield. The Padres have somehow managed to give away all of their future talent not named Ethan Salas over the last few seasons.
An already shallow pool of prospects was made even shallower.
Top 5 prospects:
While Alvarez and Neyens are two of the best prospects the Astros have had in years, the Astros still don't boast a very impressive farm system. The team had a great opportunity to sell at this year's deadline but after winning 11 of 12 games between July 20 and August 2, the team burst into the buyer category, thus putting their farm system at even greater risk.
Thankfully for the organization's future, the team did not make any deals involving prospects, though Houston did trade starting RHP Spencer Arrighetti to the Toronto Blue Jays for Daulton Varsho. Maybe it's because they realized they couldn't afford to trade away what little talent they had left. Or maybe it was because the team continuously got outbid by teams with better prospect pools.
Top 5 prospects:
The Cubs did well at this year's deadline to acquire exactly what they needed without giving up too much in return. Still, in acquiring starting pitcher and two-time All-Star Kevin Gausman from the Blue Jays, the Cubs did have to send away two solid prospects in CF Brett Bateman and SS Ty Southisene.
The pair have each immediately jumped into the Blue Jays' top-20 prospects, who don't have a bad farm system themselves. That shows you the level of talent they gave up, hence why they fall in these updated rankings.
The biggest loss was in the acquisition of Clay Holmes, trading away No. 2 prospect Jefferson Rojas to the New York Mets.
Top 5 prospects:
The recent graduation of key prospects such as Ryan Waldschmidt drastically lower the ceiling for this group. Just a few weeks ago, Waldschmidt was still considered a prospect, hence why they were rated slightly higher in our previous rankings.
The only move of note from the D-Backs was the acquisition of Lars Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals, which slightly lowers the D-Backs in our rankings.
Top 5 prospects:
When we last ranked these teams, the Mets stood in last place, and despite trading away players like Brooks Raley, Huascar Brazobán, and Freddy Peralta, the team didn't add any game-changing prospects until the Clay Holmes trade. Adding Jefferson Rojas is a huge get for the Mets, and a huge blow for the Cubs.
While the team did add some depth beyond their top 10 in players like Aidan Smith, Émilien Pitre, and Gary Gill Hill, their trade deadline lacked any serious punch to immediately enhance their future. It's a good step for a lowly farm system, but given how weak it was before, adding depth doesn't do much to help.
Top 5 prospects:
Finally! It seems like the Angels are actually starting a rebuild. The shining moment of the trade deadline was undoubtedly the move to send Jose Soriano to the Blue Jays. Acquiring Arjun Nimmala was a massive get for this team as he will likely slot into the Angels' top-five prospects immediately.
Top 5 prospects:
The Royals didn't have much to offer at this year's deadline but did make slight improvements to their farm system, adding Lucas Braun to the team via the Lane Thomas trade. Braun is a borderline top-10 prospect within the Royals' organization but adds to an already loaded group of right-handed pitchers near the top of the farm system.
Top 5 prospects:
In trading away Kevin Gausman, the Blue Jays were able to add a bit of depth to a somewhat top-heavy farm system. It was a solid move and about as much as the team could've expected to get for someone of Gausman's caliber.
The big blow came when the team traded away SS Arjun Nimmala to the Angels. Given the strength of the AL East this season, the lack of high-end talent in the farm currently, and Soriano's struggles as the 2026 season has worn on, this feels like a poor deal that has set the Blue Jays' farm system back.
Top 5 prospects:
The Braves were able to grab some depth at key places on their roster without giving up too much. The biggest prospect that departed with was pitcher Lucas Braun who was sent to Kansas City, but he doesn't even crack the Royals' top 10.
The Braves fall slightly in our rankings, but fans in Atlanta should not be discouraged about the team's future.
Top 5 prospects:
The additions of Luis Arraez and Brooks Raley came at a cost, but not too hefty. Considering how sought after both of those players were, you'd expect the team to have given up one of their top prospects, and while the loss of Ramon Marquez is certainly a hit, it could've been much worse.
Marquez's departure certainly thins out an already shallow pitching pool, but the Phillies could certainly afford to move off Marquez since they still flex four pitchers within their top-10 prospects.
Top 5 prospects:
The Boston Red Sox certainly gave up a lot of prospects for Adley Rutschman: right-handers Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon, center fielder Enddy Azocar and catcher Carlos Narvaez Will it be worth it? Probably not, and in doing so, they've helped bolster a division rival's future.
Top 5 prospects:
The Rangers' farm system remains mostly intact following the trade deadline. While they did give away a mid-tier prospect in Angel Arredondo in exchange for Logan O'Hoppe and Chase Silseth, they also acquired Adam Macko.
Neither player is a real game-changer in the system, meaning the Rangers pretty much stand in the same spot they did before the deadline.
Top 5 prospects:
Sometimes the best move is no move at all. The Reds have a rather young roster and are currently last place in the NL Central. But despite being in last place, the team is just a few games under .500. They could've taken this opportunity to trade away some of their stronger pieces but instead, they opted to keep everyone intact and hope their current core can develop into a playoff-contending team within the next few years.
Top 5 prospects:
In acquiring Freddy Peralta from the Mets, the Rays did need to give away some solid mid-tier prospects in Aidan Smith, Emilien Pitre, and Gary Gill Hill. However, given how deep the Rays' farm system is and how bad the Mets' system is, the loss isn't too bad.
All three of those guys were borderline top 30 for the Rays but immediate top-20 impacts for the Mets. With that in mind, the addition to the Mets was much greater than the subtraction from the Rays.
The real loss came with the acquisition of Liam Hicks. Brayden Taylor, Adrian Santana, and Jacob Kisting were mid-to-high-tier prospects, making this deal feel like a bit of an overpay for the Miami catcher.
Top 5 prospects:
The A's didn't really have the means to do anything. Their talent is either too high a price, too young to properly evaluate yet, or not worth anything at all. With that in mind, their decision to do nothing fits. While the team still needs to find some pitching, no amount of prospects would've been worth getting rid of guys like Kurtz or Langeliers.
The A's remained stagnant at the deadline, and they remain pretty stagnant in our rankings.
Top 5 prospects:
Prior to the deadline, the Pirates didn't boast a great system. It was rather mediocre, middle of the pack. However, despite that, the team was able to acquire one of the more sought-after arms in Luke Weaver without giving up a top-five prospect in return.
The price certainly wasn't cheap by any means, needing to give away a top-10 project in Sammy Stafura, but all in all, it was a great move that didn't compromise the team's future all that much.
Top 5 prospects:
Trading away Taylor Ward should've given the Orioles something, anything. But the Mariners, with their deep farm system were able to acquire the outfielder without spending any of their top-to-mid tier pitching prospects.
The three names barely move the needle on Baltimore's farm system, but at least this team didn't give any prospects away in the deal.
Then, the Adley Rutschman trade happened. My oh my, what a haul. Baltimore was able to acquire four of Boston's top-21 prospects, two of their top three, three of their top five, and two top-100's in the deal. That's a huge get for a team that was looking rather stagnant at the deadline.
Top 5 prospects:
The decision to deal Brenton Doyle was a smart one and netted the Rockies two depth pieces. It doesn't add much, but it's enough to feel good about Colorado's deadline despite holding onto someone with immense value like Hunter Goodman.
The acquisitions of Connor Norby and Aiden May also help slightly but don't do enough to really elevate the Rockies.
Top 5 prospects:
In acquiring Luis Garcia Jr. from the Nationals, the Yankees gave away three prospects in Yovanny Cruz, Jake Bird, and Ben Grable. It was a reasonable price for someone who has been near the top of the league in home runs since the start of June.
Given the depth of the Yankees' system, none of those prospects will be missed too sorely, but they were some valuable depth to the system. New York falls ever so slightly in our rankings.
Top 5 prospects:
Obviously, Giants fans would've loved to see guys like Matt Chapman, Rafael Devers, and/or Willy Adames shipped away this year, but the team didn't need to give away too much while acquiring some solid prospects.
Guys like Miguel Mendez, Joniel Hernandez, and Ramon Marquez are all immediate top-30 guys in the Giants' system and give the team some much needed pitching depth.
The Heliot Ramos deal also acquired a borderline top-five prospect from the Yankees in Henry Lalane. This was a massive get for the Giants, offering them much more pitching depth in the minors than they came into the deadline with.
Top 5 prospects:
For a team that couldn't decide whether to buy or sell, the choice to trade for A.J. Minter and Dean Kremer was certainly one of the strangest decisions of this year's deadline. While none of the prospects given up were that highly-touted, the Twins' strength was their depth and now that has been thinned. If they do not reach the postseason, this deadline will feel like a hugely missed opportunity.
Top 5 prospects:
The loss of Jacob Cozart stings. Cozart was a rare left-handed hitting catcher with very solid pop. Sure, he had some strikeout issues, but the minor leagues are meant to iron out those problems. Outside of that deal though, the Guardians didn't see much change in their farm system.
As for the Foster Griffin trade with the Nationals, the Guardians really didn't give up all that much, only sacrificing one top-30 prospect for an All-Star pitcher. That's well worth it.
Top 5 prospects:
At the time of the original ranking, Braden Montgomery was still considered a prospect. His graduation to the big leagues already would've seen the White Sox fall a few spots. However, the moves for Brenton Doyle and Huascar Brazoban also thinned out the team's prospects without much in return. Albeit, Chicago did not give up much in those deals.
Top 5 prospects:
While the Tigers likely could've gotten more for Tarik Skubal, there's no denying that their farm system has improved dramatically, with two new players entering their top-five prospects immediately, both of whom should be ready for the majors by 2027.
The Tigers also added one of the Padres' top prospects in Kash Mayfield by dealing away Casey Mize to the Padres. That was an excellent get as well that moves the Tigers up substantially in these rankings.
Top 5 prospects:
The Hicks trade put some solid pieces into the Marlins' system in Brayden Taylor, Adrian Santana, and Jacob Kisting. All three are immediate top-25 prospects for the Marlins, giving Miami one of the most impactful trades that will likely go by quietly.
Top 5 prospects:
The Cardinals took advantage of a desperate Brewers team, willing to overspend to acquire some pitching help. Dustin May and JoJo Romero were not worth two mid-tier prospects, which is exactly what St. Louis got in return. While Frias and Ragsdale are not expected to be massive, huge-impact players, they will provide depth and potential big league value to the club in the future.
Top 5 prospects:
In acquiring Dustin May and JoJo Romero, the Brewers slightly overpaid, offering two mid-tier prospects and losing a bit of depth along the way.
But, Milwaukee still boast one of the deepest farm systems in baseball with a myriad of high-tier guys as well.
Top 5 prospects:
The Luis Garcia Jr. deal certainly added some pop to the Nationals' farm system. While none of the players acquired crack the team's top-20 prospects, they are clear top-30 in the system and provide some serious depth to an already loaded farm.
The Nationals certainly could've gotten more for Foster Griffin though, only acquiring one top-30 prospect in the deal with the Guardians. It helps, but not enough to climb into the top-two.
Top 5 prospects:
Oh, the Dodgers lost one of their dozens of great outfield prospects? Whatever will they do. Given how deep the Dodgers' prospect pool is and how highly-touted their top prospects are, the acquisition of Skubal was merely a small scratch on a Ferrari.
Top 5 prospects:
While acquiring Taylor Ward obviously cost the Mariners some prospects, the guys they gave up weren't the cream of their crop. In fact, it's hard to argue against Seattle rising in our rankings at all after this deadline. They kept basically all of their potentially impactful guys and acquired an immediate-impact outfielder.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Best MLB farm systems after trade deadline? Power rankings of all 30 teams
Sometimes in baseball, the media overuses the term “crucial series” in the regular season. But make no mistake, the San Diego Padres taking on the Arizona Diamondbacks in a four-game set at Chase Field this week is crucial for both teams.
From the Padres’ perspective, a series sweep causes a direct swing in the Wild-Card postseason standings. Heading into tonight’s contest, one game separates the Friars from the Philadelphia Phillies and D-Backs atop the standings. The winner of this series could create their own path to securing a postseason berth.
How crucial is this four-game set? San Diego pushed Michael King (6-7, 3.38 ERA) back a day from his scheduled start. No question, the club wants to set the tone by having its best starting pitcher on the mound for the series opener.
It does not hurt that King is 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA in five career starts against Arizona. Over the last month, he has pitched well; King is 1-0 with a 3.51 ERA. The right-hander had four no-decisions in July, his lone victory against the Diamondbacks at Petco Park on July 8.
The Snakes will counter with Brandon Pfaadt (5-1, 4.00 ERA) tonight. He struggled at the start of the season and was sent back to the minors.
The D-Backs minor league pitching coordinators shortened his delivery and moved Pfaadt to the first-base side of the rubber. Suddenly, everything began clicking for the starter. Injuries to the rotation forced Arizona to call up Pfaadt. He has been outstanding, going 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA.
The right-hander is poised to increase the D-Backs’ Wild-Card lead over the Padres with a home win this evening.
The Friars head into the desert going 9-1 on their recent homestand. The offense has come alive since the All-Star break. The team’s batting average has risen by 9 points during this hot streak. The lineup is leaning on Jackson Merrill, who has been the Padres’ primary run-producer (19 hits, 5 HRs, 12 RBIs, and 19 runs scored).
The D-Backs had their own offensive resurgence. It began on July 9 following a series in San Diego. They went on a tear, going 14-6 and scoring a league-high 118 runs during this stretch. It propelled them back in the Wild-Card chase.
This is a crucial series because the number of remaining games is dwindling between both teams.
The San Francisco Giants (or what’s left of them) begin a three-game road series against the Texas Rangers this afternoon.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Logan Webb, who enters tonight’s game with a 3.93 ERA, 3.42 FIP, with 93 strikeouts to 30 walks in 119 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 16-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, in which he allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk in six innings.
As of the time this is being written, the Rangers have not yet announced a starting pitcher for tonight’s game. You can check down in the comments for more up to date information.
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Who: San Francisco Giants (47-65) vs. Texas Rangers (55-57)
Where: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas
When: 5:05 p.m. PT
Regional broadcast: n/a
National broadcast: ESPN
Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM
Over the years playing for both the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack, Matt Rempe and Adam Edström built a strong friendship.
For a large part of the past two seasons, Rempe and Edström have played a fourth-line role together, as the two spent a lot of time playing on the same line.
However, the Rangers traded Edström to the Nashville Predators this offseason in exchange for Massimo Rizzo and a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Last week at the Shoulder Check Showcase, Rempe expressed his emotions regarding Edström being traded from the Rangers.
"Obviously, he's my brother. I was over in Sweden with him for a week,” Rempe said. “Always sad to see him go because we've kind of grown up together and stuff, but it's a business and things happen.
“I know he's gonna kill it in Nashville, and I'm gonna miss him lots. I know he'll do great. He'll do great.”
Rempe, meanwhile, has one year remaining on his two-year, $1.95 million contract with the Rangers, and he’s set to compete for an opening-night roster spot at training camp.
Not many NBA stars can fight, but how many UFC fighters can play ball?
Interim UFC Heavyweight champion, Ciryl Gane — coming off a technical knockout win over Alex Pereira — showed off his basketball skills on social media.
Gane didn’t just go against any Average Joe, either. On the contrary, UFC’s two-time title holder went 1-on-1 with four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert. Mixed martial arts (MMA) fans are used to seeing the 6’4” Gane tower over his Heavyweight foes, but he was completely dwarfed by the Minnesota Timberwolves center in this playful session.
He did show some decent skills, though.
Watch Gane get a couple of buckets, including a pretty smooth looking step-back three over the 7’1” NBA star:
Crossing over to other sports isn’t easy even for high-level athletes, whether it’s NBA vets Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson fighting each other, or Gane’s former opponent in Jon Jones embarrassing himself in this classic video with five-time All Star Al Horford:
Gane and Gobert are popular French athletes and friends, who have trained together in the past. They sparred one year ago, with the UFC star helping Gobert with his boxing.
Gane’s next fight is expected to be a Heavyweight title unification rematch against one-eyed division champion, Tom Aspinall, later this year; however, an official date has not yet been locked in (details here).
Unless, of course, Dana White and Co. decide to go in a different direction.
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Suns fans and fans across the country.
Hypotheticals and projections. That’s what’s keeping us engaged at this point in the offseason. It’s August, the regular season is still two and a half months away, and we’re all wondering what the Phoenix Suns are going to look like. We speculate about the three-point shooting. We debate the defense. We try to project the rotations.
Devin Booker will lead the Suns in scoring. If he doesn’t, that will create an entirely different conversation. But the odds overwhelmingly favor Booker finishing as the team’s leading scorer once again. The balance this organization has worked to build is a welcome sight, especially when you think back to two seasons ago, when the roster was so heavily tilted toward a handful of players.
That balance is a good thing. At the same time, it leaves you wondering one simple question. Who’s going to be the second leading scorer on this team? Yeah, you might be thinking, “Who cares?” I care. I think it’s an interesting thought exercise, and the results could reveal something interesting.
Allow me to introduce the candidates.
First up is Jalen Green. He is the explosive, athletic, and at times inconsistent shooting guard who will certainly have every opportunity to fill up the stat sheet. Last season with the Suns, he averaged the third-most field-goal attempts on the team at 16.0 per game and finished third in scoring at 17.8 points per game.
By Green’s standards, it was a quiet season. It was his lowest scoring average since his rookie year in 2021–22, and he also posted the lowest three-point percentage of his career at 31.3%. You can certainly point to the circumstances. Green played only 32 games and started 27 of them as he battled multiple hamstring injuries throughout the season. He never truly found a rhythm or the consistency needed to get his game rolling.
The question is whether he can return to the level he reached in Houston during the 2022–23 season, when he averaged a career high 22.1 points per game. That year, he also averaged a career high of 17.9 field goal attempts per game.
Next up is Dillon Brooks. Brooks took more shots than he ever had in his career last season, averaging 17.1 field goal attempts per game. The previous high came in 2021–22 with the Memphis Grizzlies, when he averaged 16.4 attempts on a team that finished 56–26 and earned the second-best record in the Western Conference.
He responded by posting a career high 20.2 points per game for the Suns despite shooting 34.4% from beyond the arc, the fourth lowest mark of his career. He also attempted a career high 6.6 three pointers per game.
Was last season an outlier for Brooks? You can certainly make that argument. Jalen Green missed 50 games and Devin Booker missed 18, forcing Brooks into a much larger offensive role than anyone anticipated. His usage climbed accordingly, and so did his shot attempts.
Then there’s the newly acquired Miles Bridges. Bridges averaged 21.0 points per game during the 2023–24 season with the Charlotte Hornets while taking a career high 17.5 shots per night. He’s entering a new system with new teammates and new opportunities, so we don’t yet know exactly how he’ll be utilized offensively. But as someone who can attack the rim and who once shot 40% from three during the 2020–21 season, he certainly has the ability to elevate his offensive production and put points on the board.
So who do you think will finish as the Suns’ second leading scorer this season? That’s the question at the heart of this week’s Suns Reacts survey. Go cast your vote, then head to the comments and tell us why you made your choice. I’m curious to see where everyone lands on this one, because there’s a legitimate case to be made for all three candidates.
The 2026 offseason for the Anaheim Ducks hasn’t gone as expected, to say the least. The team was seemingly on a meteoric rise, putting their long rebuild in the rearview and primed to make several significant additions to take them over the top and into true Stanley Cup contention.
In actuality, they parted with two young roster pieces at the Draft (Olen Zellweger, Mason McTavish), signed some depth roster players (Nick Jensen, AJ Greer, Jeff Malott, Laurent Brossoit), and saw their cap sheet monumentally dented by an offer sheet signed by their franchise center, Leo Carlsson.
NHL Prospect Pool Overview '26-27: Anaheim Ducks Have Plenty More On The Way
Anaheim Ducks Acquire AHL Forward Sean Farrell in Exchange for Sasha Pastujov
Looking forward, the Ducks will be banking on their current young core continuing their progressions toward stardom, veterans to fend off Father Time for another season, and a slew of rookies and/or relatively inexperienced youth to seamlessly fill gaps on the depth chart.
Roster players Tim Washe (24), Ian Moore (24), and Tyson Hinds (23) have all “graduated” and will presumably assume everyday roles in the NHL, based on their experience, roles in high-leverage playoff games, and current depth chart makeup.
Fortunately for the Ducks, their pipeline is filled to the brim with young, NHL-ready (or near-NHL-ready) talent who, if afforded the opportunity, could find themselves elevated in the lineup and potentially move needles for the organization in yet another important transition year.
Here’s a preview of some of those players looking to carve out a consistent role and provide an impact at the NHL level.
Nesterenko will be entering his fifth season (fourth full season) with the Ducks organization after he was acquired at the 2022 trade deadline. The long, skilled, playmaking winger split his time between the AHL and NHL in 2025-26, playing 29 games with the Ducks and 35 with the Gulls.
He’s put in work to develop a “B game” and was rewarded with 0:50 TOI on the penalty kill per game with Anaheim when called upon early in the season. He’s shown flashes of offensive impact, highlighted by a four-assist game in Oct. 2025, but if he’s given a role high in the lineup again, those flashes will need to become more consistent if he’s to stick. He has the makings of a useful bottom-six player for the Ducks who could fill in and provide an impact in the middle six.
He’s no longer waiver-exempt, and the Ducks would risk losing him should they attempt to reassign him to the Gulls.
Colangelo has been one of the Gulls’ top point-producers for the last two seasons, but took a slight step back in 2025-26 as the organization switched their systems to one less conducive to Colangelo’s game. He’s still capable of scoring at the NHL level, as suggested by his ten goals in 32 games in 2024-25.
A prototypical power forward with a quick release, Colangelo requires a scoring role to fulfill his true potential. When given an elevated role, he can provide needed goalscoring, but his lack of pace and two-way habits have kept him in the AHL, as he struggles to influence on a forecheck or disrupt without possession.
Luckily for him, the Ducks’ top nine projects to be chock-full of opportunity, especially early in 2026-27. Like Nesterenko, he’s no longer waiver-exempt, and the Ducks would risk losing the former second-round pick should they attempt to send him to the AHL.
Luneau is far and away the Ducks’ biggest “X-factor” on this list. He’s “paid his dues” with two healthy and productive seasons with the Gulls, scoring 93 points in 129 games and working to refine his two-way abilities.
Anaheim’s blueline will be far younger this year than its predecessor and thus rife with opportunity. Luneau is the Ducks’ lone remaining prospect with true No. 1 potential. He’s an explosive, creative puck-mover with a desirable combination of physical and mobile defending in every zone.
Zellweger’s departure and Pavel Mintyukov’s offensive inconsistency may lead to Luneau seeing ice time with a man-advantage. If he’s afforded extended power play time, it’s not far-fetched to predict Luneau’s placement among the NHL’s top rookie defensemen in 2026-27.
Gaucher never projected as a top-of-the-lineup point-producer, but his difficulty translating what offense he did have to the AHL level has been disappointing thus far. Toward the end of the 2025-26 season, his third full season with the Gulls, he began to accumulate more puck touches and manufacture more offense, finishing the regular season with nine points (7-2=9) in his final ten regular season AHL games and even made his NHL debut in early April.
Gaucher has the capability of providing the Ducks with much-needed forechecking prowess, an aspect absent during their playoff run in the Spring of 2026. He’ll likely top out as a third-line center, but his speed, physicality, defensive impact, and tenacity could provide the Ducks with a needed complement to their dynamic core at the top of the lineup.
He’ll likely be battling Nesterenko and Colangelo for NHL ice time. Still, his versatility will likely give him an advantage over the former two and afford the coaching staff more lineup options.
With more years of professional experience and experience against grown men than anyone on this list, Solberg wrapped up his first full year in North America in 2025-26, playing all 71 games on the Gulls’ schedule and representing Norway for the third consecutive spring at the IIHF World Championships.
The first season on a smaller ice sheet was a success for the former first-round pick (23rd overall in 2024), as he tallied 24 points (12-12=24) and translated his trademark physicality, piling up 102 PIMs. If the Ducks feel the NHL roster is lacking, Solberg can restore some of the sandpaper they lost during the 2026 offseason with the departures of Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas.
He still has some details to add to his game like angling, gap control, and puck retrieval success rate, but with the only LHDs ahead of him on the Ducks organizational depth chart being Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, and Tyson Hinds, it’s more likely than not he makes his NHL debut in 2026-27. Two years removed from playing in Norway’s top professional league indicates he’s already come a long way in his development in a short amount of time. Will the NHL be a leap too far? We’ll soon find out.
McQueen finally put together a complete, healthy season in 2025-26 and signed his ELC after a freshman year at Providence College that saw him tally 27 points (11-16=27) in 36 games. The production isn’t entirely telling, as he was third on his team in scoring, trailing their leading scorer (John Mustard) by just two points. Providence plays pro-style defensive systems and relies on depth and details to win games at the NCAA level.
He finished his season with the Gulls, scoring three points (1-2=3) in seven games, utilizing the habits he learned at Providence to ease his transition to the AHL. He could benefit from more manufactured puck touches to gain acumen and confidence on the offensive side of the puck to realize his NHL potential fully.
McQueen is long, skilled, powerful, and can cover a lot of ice with his stride. He has all the tools to become a dynamic complement to Leo Carlsson down the middle and one half of a lethal 1-2 punch. The Ducks could certainly utilize his skillset in their middle six, and he would fill a need, but rushing him to the NHL could limit his overall offensive upside if he’s not fully ready. His development at this stage will be a delicate balancing act for the Ducks’ front office and coaching staff.
Klepov joins the likes of Carlsson and Beckett Sennecke as a player that Ducks GM Pat Verbeek and the scouting staff identified and pursued as “their guy” in the first round of the NHL Draft. Klepov was the key piece in a trade that sent McTavish to the St. Louis Blues, and Verbeek stated that had Klepov not been available to the Ducks at 15th overall, the trade would not have happened.
Klepov led the entire OHL in scoring in 2025-26 with 97 points (37-60=97) in 67 games and was slated to begin his NCAA career in 2026-27 at Michigan State University before the Ducks signed him to his ELC in July. Verbeek mentioned after his draft that he was a player who could be on a “fast track to the NHL.” However, a full 2026-27 season in the NHL seems like a tremendously fast track.
He is an offensive dynamo with the IQ, handling, and deception skills to quarterback minute-long cycle sequences singlehandedly, as well as create and finish endless dangerous chances. Though tenacious and talented, he’ll likely aim to add to his 6-foot, 186-pound frame. It remains a possibility Klepov plays NHL games this season, but a reliance on him to make a nightly positive impact may not be advisable if the Ducks are to remain competitive in 2026-27.
Anaheim Ducks Sign First-Round Pick Nikita Klepov to ELC
Outlook for the Anaheim Ducks Blueline, Losing Three Veteran Right Shots
Anaheim Ducks Long Term Salary Cap Outlook, How it was Impacted by Leo Carlsson's Offer Sheet
After what was a fairly quiet trade deadline for Milwaukee through roughly 2 p.m. CT, the Brewers finally made their first move at roughly 2:15, acquiring right-handed starter Dustin May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero in a trade with the Cardinals, per Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic.
Nearly 40 minutes later, Brewer beat reporter Adam McCalvy has reported that the return in the deal is outfield prospects Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale.
May, 29 in September, is a former third-round pick by the Dodgers back in 2016. Initially ranked as a top prospect, he had a strong start to his career with Los Angeles before missing the entire 2024 season due to injury. He struggled in 2025 between the Dodgers and Red Sox, with a 4.96 ERA and 4.88 FIP across 132 1/3 innings, but he’s looked better this year with St. Louis.
Across 21 starts this season, he’s 5-7 with a 4.38 ERA, 3.14 FIP, and 106 strikeouts over 109 innings. Despite that high ERA, you can see from his FIP that a stronger defense should do him some favors, and as a groundball pitcher, Milwaukee may just be the perfect fit. He tossed a complete game shutout against the Padres earlier this year, and he also took a no-hitter against the Brewers into the eighth inning back in May, flashing his potential.
Romero, 30 in September, is a former fourth-round pick by the Phillies in 2016. He’s in his seventh big-league season and fifth with the Cardinals, and he’s been a reliable arm for St. Louis for several years now, with a 3.07 ERA, 3.60 FIP, and 207 strikeouts over 214 innings for them between 2022 and 2026. He’s made 44 appearances this year with a 3.35 ERA, 4.00 FIP, and 43 strikeouts across 43 innings, though he’s missed the last several weeks after an emergency appendectomy. He’s expected to return to action by mid-August.
Frias, 18, and Ragsdale, 22, both ranked among Milwaukee’s top prospects. Frias, ranked No. 11 in the system by MLB Pipeline, was an international signee out of the Dominican Republic in January 2025 and was hitting .236/.328/.418 in 28 games with Low-A Wilson after hitting .441/.518/.678 in 32 games at Rookie ball to begin the year.
Ragsdale, ranked as Milwaukee’s No. 13 prospect by MLB Pipeline, started the season at High-A Wisconsin before a call up to Double-A Biloxi, and he’s hit .316/.441/.581 with 19 homers, 21 doubles, two triples, and 31 steals over 86 games between the two levels. He was a seventh-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Boston College.